Canada and other Arctic nations, Russia, United States, Denmark and Norway, favour deal to block commercial fishing in central Arctic Ocean pending research

This photo by The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows Arctic sea ice late last year. The Arctic isn't as bright and white as it used to be because of more ice melting, a new study says. With more dark, open water in the summer, less of the sun's heat is reflected into space.

By:The Canadian Press, Published on Thu Feb 27 2014

Canada and four other Arctic nations have agreed to work toward a deal to block commercial fishing in the central Arctic Ocean until more is known about the potential of the resource.

The agreement with the United States, Russia, Denmark and Norway was reached late Wednesday in Nuuk, Greenland.

Disappearing sea ice is opening up new waters at the top of the globe to potential commercial exploitation.

Scientists say not enough is known about the fish stocks and how they’re being affected by climate change.

More talks are expected later this year to iron out details of how the deal will work.

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